What can I do if I am injured in an accident with a driver who was texting and driving?

19 Apr 2017

I’m sorry to hear about your accident. Despite all the education that has occurred over the past decade, texting and driving is still very prevalent. In addition, about 46 states have laws against texting and driving, and 94 percent of drivers support that ban. Even so, about 1.6 million accidents are linked to texting and driving each year, resulting in about 330,000 injuries.

Although most drivers would never consider drinking and driving, about 10 percent of adults admit to texting and driving. For teens, the percentage is much higher. Statistics have shown that texting and driving is six times more likely to cause an accident than driving while intoxicated. On average, sending a text takes a driver’s attention off the road for about five seconds, which if traveling at 55 miles per hour, means a driver could travel the length of a football field without looking at the road.

If you have been the victim of a texting driver, you have legal rights. If you can prove the driver was texting at the time of the accident, you can prove liability, which means the driver can be held responsible for your damages. Your damages may include compensation for medical expenses, damage to your vehicle, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Your attorney may be able to subpoena the other driver’s cell phone records, which can help prove negligence.

If you have been involved in an automobile accident which occurred in southern California because of a distracted driver, call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles automobile accident attorney at 310-385-0567. My firm can help. Call us today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation on your case.